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Today is July 17th, and this post is part of The 40 Day Fast.

The cause I’m highlighting today is one we can all take part in. It’s meeting needs locally.

Now, understand that I’m not taking away anything from those who have highlighted such organizations as Compassion International (my wife and I sponsor a little girl in South America; it’s a fantastic cause) and the like. But, it’s easy to get caught up in these big international causes and forget that there are people in need, literally, right next door.

40″He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” -Matthew 10

When Jesus talks about giving a cup of cold water, I just took that in with everything else, but after ruminating on it for awhile, the thought of a cup of cold water is revolutionary. Simple relief is revolutionary.

But, you see, sometimes it can be a literal cup of cold water that makes an entire difference.

The next time you’re driving somewhere, and it’s raining and cold, and you see some energy company workers, or telephone company workers, working on outside equipment in the rain, go to the nearest coffee shop, get some coffee and donuts, and take it back to them. Tell them how much you appreciate their working in the rain for you. I know they’re getting paid. Dollar bills don’t warm the heart like a fresh cruller and a smile does.

Make some cookies and take it to the local 24 hour gas station at midnight and tell the people working, “night shift sucks. I feel for you,” and, here, have some homemade cookies, these things blow away stale Little Debbies. Then, take your time leaving. Don’t hammer them with “JESUS LOVES YOU!” You’ve already showed them that. Wait for their response. It’s been gold every time I’ve done it.

This August, when it’s scorching hot, and you see half a dozen guys on the city road crew toiling in the heat, go get them an ice cold lemonade and tell them thanks. Ten guys working? Then yes, that’s ten lemonades. It’s all God’s money anyway, you can forget that iced latte for the next couple mornings, right?

Call your local Habitat for Humanity office and find out when their next workday is, and volunteer. Shovel dirt. Go meet the family that’s getting this house, and talk to them. Look into their eyes. You’ll see Jesus there.

My wife and I took a vacation last week to Chicago (it’s a short 3 1/2 hour drive from our western Indiana home, and priceline.com is wicked awesome). We said we wanted to eat at local places but when we ordered our food, we did so with purpose. We were never worried about ordering too much food. Why? Because of the one or two homeless people we’d pass on every city block while walking downtown. We knew we’d have food left over, and someone who needed some food in their belly was going to get it. We’d finish our meal, wrap up the uneaten food in a box, then walk a few feet and ask, “hungry?” Different phrases and expressions were used to always say the same thing; “oh, yes.” At each meal we maybe spent an extra $2-$5 but to us it was well worth it.

Be prepared to be met with stares of confusion when you do these things. A common questions is, “why?” Be ready to shine.

None of the things I’ve written about here are too crazy or unthinkable or original. However, it’s amazing how “a cup of cold water” can open a door, not only to helping someone in need, but also maybe to a conversation where you can talk about the son of God and what he’s done for you and for us.

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